Image:Killer whales perform for a crowd at a show at SeaWorld in San Diego in 2014

SeaWorld will also phase out its world-famous killer whale shows by 2019, after the 2013 documentary Blackfish sparked a backlash against keeping orcas, dolphins and other animals in captivity for entertainment.

The film focused on Tilikum, who killed his trainer Dawn Branchaeu in Orlando in 2010 during a "Dine with Shamu" show.

SeaWorld has said it will replace the killer whale shows with "natural orca encounters".

In the meantime, visitors will be able to see the new calf at the San Antonio park's orca stadium pool, or in two adjacent pools - where it will be observed by trainers reporting to researchers investigating the species.

But PETA vice president Tracy Reiman said mother Takara should be moved to a seaside sanctuary with her new offspring.

She said: "Throughout her life, Takara the orca has been artificially inseminated many times, separated from her mother and two of her children, and shuffled from theme park to theme park at SeaWorld's whim."